‘Small is better’ mantra dead for luxe chains

Starting with Six Senses and viewing its ownership, the private equity group Pegasus, money is never meant to sleep and there is clearly mounting pressure to value up the chain. This month marks the operator’s entry into Singapore, with twinned properties the 49-room Duxton and 120-key Maxwell set to address a new segment for the brand.

Looking further afield, in the pipeline is New York City, where a 137-room property will also feature 240 condominium residences.

Branded real estate is a key element in the luxury hotel group’s pipeline.

Six Senses is not the only top-end brand to understand the importance of branded real estate to chains. Look no further than to global leaders like Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton whose upcoming projects have a significant number of mixed-use and hotel residence developments.

IHG’s recent transaction with Regent was strongly underwritten on the growth strategy of new hotel residential projects and using that as a means to achieve broader brand penetration.

Read more...